What Are the Origins of Religious Conflict Between Judaism and Christianity?
Another installment of my ongoing Biblical Study Series from the Social Gospel Blog with Minister Pail J. Bern
What Was the Origin of the Religious Conflict Between Jews and Non-Jews?
(Romans chapter 11, verses 1-16)
You are about to read a brief excerpt from my Christian nonfiction book, “The Social Gospel Teaching Series Vol. 3: the Apostle Paul” by Rev. Paul J. Bern (c) copyright 2022 by Rev. Paul J. Bern, all rights reserved; available exclusively from this link
In today's installment of my Biblical Study Series of the writings of the apostle Paul, he continued his train of thought regarding the Hebrew people versus the remaining nations of the world. He further elaborates regarding the Jews as being God's chosen people while he explains why that status was going to the Gentile nations instead of Israel. Paul quoted from the prophet Isaiah chapter 65 and verse one, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me”. God's purpose for the Gentile nations (such as the US) was to extend the salvation of Christ to all humanity, provoking Israel to jealousy (the Old Testament calls the Jewish nation, “God’s chosen people”). So let's pick up where we left off last week beginning at chapter 11, verse one.
Part One of This Week’s Bible Verses for Study and Memorization
“I ask then; did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what the Scripture says about the prophet Elijah – how he appealed to God against Israel: 'Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me'? (I Kings 19, verses 10 and 14) And what was God's answer to him? 'I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed their knee to Baal'. (I Kings 19:18) So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
What, then? What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did. The others were hardened, as it is written, 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day.' (Isaiah 29: 20) And David says, 'May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see and their backs be bent forever'. (Psalm 69: 22-23) Again I ask, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater will their fullness bring!” (Romans 11, verses 1-12)
The Born Again Believers of Today
God has not rejected the Jewish nation, Paul wrote, and he states unequivocally that he is living proof that this is so. Keep in mind that when Paul wrote these words, the overwhelming majority of Christians in the early church were Jewish converts. It is a documented fact that all of the apostles were ministering to the Jews of their day. Only Paul, as we learned from last week's study, was ministering to the Gentiles. ‘If I as an Israelite’, Paul was saying, ‘can be saved, then so can the rest of us’. “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” As we have learned previously, grace is defined as unmerited favor from God. It is a free gift with no strings attached, provided that we surrender control of our lives to Jesus Christ, making him the Lord over our daily lives. “What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain, but the elect did.” “The elect” is a reference to all non-Jews who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb of God, none other than Christ himself. “The elect” are all the born-again Jews and Christians of today.
An Olive Tree Being Symbolic of Israel
“...Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” Paul is saying here that since so many non-believing Jews had rejected the salvation of Christ, he would cause all the Gentile nations to get their fair share of grace just like the Jews, deliberately making them angry. Anyone who rejects Christ will be proven wrong, first for the Jew, and then for the Gentile. Those who are proven wrong but still will not change their ways are in danger of final judgment that leads to eternal death and condemnation. But those who do believe, whether Jew or Gentile, will be granted eternal life in New Jerusalem (heaven), a life without end where time as we know it does not exist. Paul makes his point by comparing new Christians to branches of an olive tree. The olive tree is used throughout the Bible as a symbol for Israel. It goes back to the tradition of Jesus teaching us all that “I am the vine, and you are the branches”. It's in all four gospels if you want to look it up.
Part Two of This Week’s Study Verses
“I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I might somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough that is offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole branch is holy; if the root is holy, then so are the branches.” (Romans 11 verses 13-16)
Being On a Mission for Christ
In the first verse above, the apostle Paul makes reference to himself as a Jewish man when he talks about being an apostle to the Gentiles, or non-Jews. He then states by doing so he hoped to “somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them”. This is a direct reference to a passage in the book of Acts where Paul's arguments for his new-found Christian faith are rejected by his Jewish peers at every turn. “Let your blood be on your own heads”, Paul exclaimed to them. “From now on, I will take my message to the Gentiles”. Paul then uses a quote from Christ to make his point when he says, “If the part of the dough that is offered as first-fruits is holy, then the whole branch is holy”. Jesus said during one of his parables, “A small amount of yeast works through the whole batch of dough”. This is what Paul is referring to when he says, “If the part of the dough that is offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole branch is holy.”
Jesus Was the Final Sin Offering to the Lord
“First fruits” refers to the ancient Jewish tradition in the Old Testament of offering up a tenth of one's livestock and their crops for sacrifice at the temple at Jerusalem. Unfortunately, this tradition is still being taught in some churches as being a requirement for 'membership' today even though Jesus' sacrifice on the cross takes the place of Old Testament sacrifices. We should still give as much as we can to whatever church and other non-profits we choose. But the 10% requirement was abolished when Christ rose from the dead three days after he was crucified. Jesus was like a new ‘tithe’ unto God Almighty. That’s why I say that any church that continues to teach tithing 10% of one's income is bending and twisting the Gospel so as to turn houses of worship into profitable businesses. God will deal with them severely!
So as we close out part 1 of Romans chapter 11, Paul the apostle is continuing his train of thought by emphasizing how essential the passion of Christ truly is to Jew and non-Jew alike. Next week when we conclude part 2, you will see the strong, sure hand of Paul's guiding light as he led the early Church towards its ultimate destiny. Until then, keep Christ in your heart and be grateful and thankful for your salvation through Christ.
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